Thursday, June 23, 2016

Salve,
final fragment from Mr. Batty. This time author gives us his observations, views, prejudices, and finally his understanding of the American Indians and their hunting in general.

How Indians Hunt

An Indian,
notwithstanding his warlike propensities and distinguishing
characteristic of cruelty, when in the prime of manhood fully
equipped for the chase, is a picture that cannot fail to call forth
admiration.

Iron-jointed,
supple-sinewed, he mounts his pony, and with bird-like grace and
freedom rides at lightning speed, leaping the saddle from side to
side in a manner almost incredible to relate. When not under
excitement the Indian has a patient, inoffensive look, and one would
scarcely think he was capable of committing the cruelest of deeds.

The Indian is a
perfect hunter, but not a good shot. He is most patient in waiting
for game, and will lie for hours as noiselessly as a cat watching a
mouse. The most intense heat of the sun on the plains does not seem
to affect him, and he will often lie a whole day at a water hole
waiting for game to come to drink.

Indians hunt more or less in the
Summer, but the Great Fall Hunt is the event of the year, and in it
they seem to find the most perfect enjoyment and great excitement. At
this time meat is killed and cured for Winter use. They hunt but
little in Winter, and then chiefly in pleasant weather, going but a
short distance from camp, on foot, as the ponies are too thin to
carry them.

There are laws in
some tribes that forbid an Indian to hunt alone far from camp. If
found hunting on the sly, they are soldiered, that is, have their
clothes cut to pieces on their return to camp.

They prize a good
gun highly, and appreciate the points nearly as well as our own
people. The brass-mounted Winchester carbine is their favorite gun
for hunting or war. We were quite amused in examining the guns of one
Indian camp. Some had the most common of shot guns, cut short like
carbines, many had the pea rifles, and occasionally a double-barreled
gun was seen; there were many old muzzle-loading Springfield muskets
and Spencer carbines, and now and then a Ballard; large bore
muzzle-loaders, however, prevailed. Many of the Dakota (Sioux) and
Assineboine* warriors carry good Government needle-guns. Sharpens*
carbines and brass-mounted Winchester repeating rifles. The stocks of
the guns, and their belts and saddles, are ornamented with brass
nails driven in every conceivable form. The Sioux and Assineboines
are tall and muscular, and look as though they know how to use their
guns; they wear canvas and leather cartridge belts like the whites,
which are generally well filled with fixed ammunition.

An Indian will
barter anything for ammunition, even a valuable robe, or blanket from
his back. When I was crossing Montana, Indians came about and tried
to trade for cartridges ; it was quite amusing to see them
continually show their empty cartridge belts (which had been cleaned
for the occasion) and urge our party to trade. They offered pemmican,
jerked meat, robes, skins, gun cases, moccasins, and tobacco bags
ornamented with porcupine quills and beads, and filled with
Kinnikinic*. I had a heavy belt of the extra long central fire
cartridges with patched balls, which were new to them; pulling out a
ball from a cartridge and handing it to a buck, he examined it
carefully, passed it to his comrades, then returned it with a grunt
of satisfaction and uttered the word ** wash-ta" (good).

Some Indians
foolishly chew their bullets until they are so rough they can
scarcely be forced down a rifle. I told one Indian that it was "bad
medicine," and the bullet would not go straight; he took a
badly marred ball from his pouch, pointed to it and said, " good
medicine, heap kill deer."

They accepted
fire-arms rather doubtfully at first, but now nearly all Indians
possess one of some description.

There were two kinds
of bows used by the aborigines: the short stiff bow for buffalo and
war, and the long bow for small game. The latter is seldom used now
among the Northern
Indians, they preferring the short bow, as it is more easily carried
when riding in the hunt or fight. The Eastern Indians used the long
bow; the Seminoles used one of medium length, between the long and
buffalo bow.

All good Indian bows
are strengthened by sinew, which are stretched lengthwise, and around
them. The sinew from the back of the buffalo is generally used, as it
is long, flat and fibrous, and can be split into any width of band,
or size of thread.

The heavy bows have
broad strips of sinew put on them longitudinally, and are cross wound
over with shaganapa* or rawhide, and fine sinew.

The arrow heads and
feathers are fastened to the shafts with the same material.

There are two styles
of arrow heads, the long for buffalo and the short for general use.
The flint-arrow head has disappeared among all the tribes I have
seen.

Arrows are deeply
notched to receive the heavy rawhide string of the bow, and their
ends spread, to prevent their slipping from the hunter's grasp. The
Indian hunter prizes his bow as much as a rifle, and it is a
difficult matter to buy one, without paying a fabulous price.

The bow is used with
great care and carried in a cover of leather or fur.

Indians often make
bow cases from the skins of their dogs, but some of the great
warriors have covers made of otter skins. A large otter skin with a
perfect tail to protect the bow is invaluable. Skins of albino
animals are also highly prized for quivers and bowcases, and the skin
of the white buffalo — more common than is generally supposed —
is considered " good medicine ;" they think the Walkatonka*
or Great Spirit, favors those who wear them.

Quivers are also
made of leather and fur skins, ornamented with beads, colored
porcupine quills and fringe, and are usually strung from the right
shoulder.

The short bow is a
very effective weapon in close quarters, and with it the average
Indian can discount all breech-loading rifles, except a repeater.

An Indian will bury
several arrows in a buffalo in a few moments; and a dozen or more of
them armed with bows, in ambush, will make lively work for a party of
whites. Whether the Northern Indians have ever used poisoned arrows
or not I am unable to state; I have questioned many about them, also
trappers and interpreters, and have found no clue to their having
been used. Many suppose that the arrows were poisoned with the venom
of the rattlesnake, but the Indians are so superstitious relative to
killing it, that I do not think the belief authentic. They never fire
at one, saying it is "bad medicine," and will spoil their
guns.

The young bucks and
papooses make bows and arrows of every description, and are
continually practising at birds.

[Indian pony] The Indians hunt
more on horseback than any other way, and the endurance of their
ponies is wonderful. Although in constant companionship, the Indian
has not the least feeling
for his pony, and shamefully neglects and abuses him. He is never
stabled, blanketed, curried, or even fed. Saddles are strapped on
mercilessly, and the pony is ridden cruelly ; if his back be torn and
lacerated at night, he is turned into the herd without a thought, and
forced under the same saddle the next day. In Winter they have very
little food, and become almost skeletons, and were it not for the
branches and bark that the squaws cut from the cotton-wood tree they
would die of hunger ; as it is, they are pitiable objects with their
shabby coats and extended hips; but when Spring comes and food is
plenty, their transformation is wonderful, and they are ready to
perform the cruel tasks of their remorseless masters. Although a
slave to the Indian, it is a singular fact, that stabled and fed in
the hands of a white, 'the pony becomes stubborn and even dangerous ;
like many of the human family, prosperity does not agree with him.

[Indian Dogs]

It is generally
supposed that Indians never make use of dogs in hunting, but do their
own driving on foot; there are, however, some tribes that use dogs
success- fully in the chase. The Chippewa Indians surround a favorite
feeding ground of the deer, and one of their number turns the dogs
loose in the centre. Some of them are well trained, and hunt
independently of each other, and several deer are often killed at one
drive. The number engaged in the hunt is regulated according to the
number of runways to be manned. Large parties often split up and hunt
in localities suited to their number. The Chippewas occasionally
still-hunt singly, having trails cut through their hunting grounds as
nearly parallel as possible; there are then no twigs to obstruct the
view, or dead sticks to crack and alarm the game.

A great number of
dogs are seen in every Indian village, though we saw more with the
Crows than with any other tribe. There are no pure blooded dogs,
nearly all being crossed with the wolf.

In the Winter they are
disconsolate, half starved looking creatures, but during the buffalo
season they fare sumptuously and become very fat. These dogs fight
savagely, much to the delight of the young bucks, who never separate
them, but let them fight it out. The Indians make an article of food
of their dogs, and tan their skins for mats. They also use them to
haul sledges and carry light packs

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Joseph Batty wrote on How Indians Hunt the Buffalo [on horseback and in 1870s].
Hopefully in the future I will provide more primary accounts describing the bison hunting techniques of the Great Plains tribal peoples:

Were it not for the buffalo, the Indians of the southern plains
would be deprived of food, and also of bedding, clothing and teepies
which the skins furnish ; even now there is so much hunting by the
Whites that the number of buffalo are greatly reduced, and the
Indian's comfort, comparatively speaking, is already gone. On the
northern plains they remain yet in greater numbers, but their final
destruction is inevitable everywhere.
The Great Fall Hunt" The great Fall hunt " is the Indian's harvest and
annual feast. Never is he in such good spirits, never does he hunt
with such excitement, and never is his insatiable appetite so
gratified. In September, bands start out well provided with teepies,
guns, ammunition and horses. They travel sometimes hundreds of miles
before reaching a buffalo country, camping each night when darkness
overtakes them. When finally reaching a place where buffalo are known
to abound, runners are sent out to sight them. When they return with
good news, the Indians, anticipating the hunt, are thrown into great
commotion; they strip themselves of all clothing except breech
clout, and moccasins, and some deck themselves with feather
head-dresses.

Saddles are removed from ponies and riding pads
substituted. Young bucks are sent out to choose desirable camping
ground near water, and when a place is decided upon, squaws and
trappings are sent for. The squaws get up the teepies, erect
scaffolds for drying meat, and make all preparations needful to camp
comfortably. The hunters that have started on their ponies ride until
a favorable herd of buffalo is dis- covered, then, as well as
diversity of country will admit, they slowly surround them at a
distance. It is seemingly understood that they shall all dash forward
after a certain length of time, and they come in a fury of speed,
yelling inhumanly, and shouting the "whey! whey! whey !" to
their horses.

Each Indian singles a buffalo and follows it in every direction,
and the form of the surround is lost. So perfectly trained is the
pony, and so skilled in hunting is the Indian, that in every effort
to turn or get away, the buffalo is pursued as it were in shadow, and
unto death. When the first buffalo falls, the Indian looks forward,
and if any scattering ones are seen, a second chase ensues. Old men
and young bucks not engaged in the fight stand at specified distances
with extra horses, and when those in the chase give out, the rider
drives up to those. in reserve and exchanges.

The hunting is done as
near camp as possible, and the squaws are sent for to skin and dress
the buffalo that have fallen within reason- able distance. Each of
the animals too far away to be reached, are partially skinned by the
Indian who has killed them, and they will often tear the liver and
heart from a buffalo while warm, and devour it with the relish of
wild beasts; the best meat is cut out in flakes, and piled and tied
on the ponies. They are cruelly overladen, and the meat hangs so low
on each side that it usually drags upon the ground, gathering much
dirt, which is never removed, but allowed to dry in ; then, as if the
poor pony was not sufficiently loaded, the Indian takes his seat upon
the top of the meat and rides to camp, the pony staggering beneath
the load. Both pony and rider become saturated with blood, and
neither are ever cleaned. If the chase has been a successful one, the
remains of partially dressed buffalos are left; but if not, they
return, and the carcass is cleaned and meat taken to camp. Sometimes
those who have not been successful in the chase will assist others in
dressing game.

At night a great feast commences, in which men,
squaws, bucks, children, and even the dogs participate. Singing, dancing and wild games are enjoyed, and the most
immoderate eating that man or beast could be guilty of is indulged
in. The intestines of the buffalo are considered the choicest parts,
and are devoured by the Indians in a most disgusting fashion. They
often eat, at this feast, the greater portion of the choicest meat of
the first day's hunt, but on the second day and afterwards, meat is
prepared for the Winter. Day after day the hunt is continued, a chase
often being six miles long, until meat enough has been obtained for
the Winter, or until intense weather puts an end to the sport.
[...]The squaws do all the drudgery; they prepare the meat, and hang it
on the scaffolds to dry. In damp weather it is often partially smoked
by fires being made beneath it when drying. The squaws often skin the
buffalo, and always dress and tan the robes. Few skins are used early
in the season, except for teepies and lodges.
When the Winter coat of the buffalo is half grown, it is at its
best, and the squaws begin to tan robes for trade and their own use.
Very strong lariats are woven by the Indians, out of the fine hair
from the fore shoulders of buffalo, for which they get fabulous
prices.
Some Indians use the army revolver in the hunt, some the carbine
or Winchester rifle, while others use the bow. A warrior snatches an
arrow from his quiver over the shoulder, springs the bow with a magic
hand, and in an instant buries the arrow to the feathers in the flesh
of the buffalo. The arrows are marked in colors near the feathers, so
that each can be recognized, and the game claimed by the owner of the
one which, by its position, indicates that death was caused.

***

Images are from Wikimedia Commons and are photos of paintings done during the XIX century - Alfred Jacob Miller, George Catlin, John Mix Stanley, Paul Kane & Karl Bodmer.

Monday, June 20, 2016

HOW TO HUNT [Buffalo]*Buffalo are hunted in two ways: they are still-hunted on foot
with a heavy rifle, orrun with horses and shot with the carbine,
army revolver, or Winchester repeating rifle.
*** It is a much more
difficult matter to shoot well when mounted than on foot; rifles
should not be cocked until an instant before discharging, and the
finger must not rest upon the trigger except at the moment of action.
Unless these rules are carefully observed, and the utmost caution
taken, sudden movements and irregular motions in riding, will
sometimes cause the gun to discharge, and the rider to shoot his own
horse. In general shooting, hit the game high in the shoulder. Most
of the hunters who shoot for market, stalk the game and fire at long
range with the heavy Sharpe's rifle.[article on the 1863 and 1874 models]

The large American horse is a rough rider, and unless thoroughly
broken to the sight of buffalo, and perfectly trained to rough
ground, is liable to stumble, and throw one over his head at any
moment.

There is but little danger with the Indian pony ; he runs
securely and smoothly, and knows how to " lay aside " a
buffalo as well as his rider does. The most comfortable way to be
mounted is Indian fashion, with double pad resting each side of the
pony's spine, as a substitute for a saddle[apishamore]. Moccasins keep the feet
from slipping, and enable one to retain his seat with ease. If a
saddle is used, the Spanish saddle with the California tree is the
easiest ridden and the safest known. With the McClellan saddle, one
frequently gets unhorsed; it answers, however, for ordinary riding.
When preparing for the hunt, saddle-bags and blankets are removed
from the horses, and saddles are cinched tightly; the hunter then
straps a well filled cartridge belt around his waist, seizes his
weapon, mounts his pony, and is ready for the run.

It is quite a feat to shoot successfully from a horse's back, when
on a dead run, and one should not attempt it unless he has been long
accustomed to the saddle.
When making a surround, the herd is usually sighted from a
distance, and the hunters approach from the bottoms, or "
coolies ;" it takes considerable time, but is generally
successful if managed by veteran hunters. Should the herd become
alarmed and stampede before the surround is completed, the hunters
rush from concealment and endeavor to turn the herd. Then follows an
exciting moment; the yelling of the hunters, rapid running and
thundering tread of the buffalo, and constant reports of the guns,
with horsemen half visible in a cloud of dust, form a strange, wild
and exciting scene, that must be seen from a distance to be
appreciated. When one is in the excitement of the chase, he can have
no idea of general effect ; he singles out his buffalo, and runs it
to the death, and should the chase be a short one, he heads another
band and obtains a second run. Buffalo usually fall on their knees
with
the fore legs doubled under, and often one horn is buried in the
ground. After the hunt, the hunters are called together by signal,
and proceed to dress the game.
If the skins are saved they are taken off flat, like cattle hides,
salted (except in cold weather), then stretched on the ground,
driving stakes through holes in the edges ; but if the flesh only is
used, the best of it is cut in flakes and the horses are packed with
as much as they can carry. When killed for the market, they are
quartered with the skins on, and wagons are used for their
transportation.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Salve,
I used to live on the Great Plains, and I love the sight of the bison herd in a distance along with antelopes and coyotes - :) .
I buy commercially raised bison meat, and enjoy many a bison stew or grilled chop.
I have decided to publish some accounts of the historic bison, and I will start with the one provided by our taxidermist Joseph H. Batty.

Joe Batty, in How to Hunt and Trap, spent some time on describing the American Bison (he calls it buffalo) and methods of hunting the animal. Horses figure high in this description, the native hunters too. Batty was writing at the end of the era, as the once vast bison herds had been hunted into oblivion during the 1870s and 1880s. It was saved from extinction by the efforts of the American conservationists, scientists and many dedicated people.
The description includes a 1709 report by John Lawson, which is a very early English testimony about the bison. In the future I shall provide more historical accounts on bison, its hunting and the role of horses.

Bison, wood and plains, original range

Bison hunting

The buffalo with his humped back,
shaggy head, intent eye, and giant proportions, is a formidable
creature to look at, but his appearance does not represent his
nature, as he never attacks except when wounded and in self- defense.
He has been hunted for two centuries, and for the past twenty years
mercilessly and wantonly. The cows have been slaughtered until they
are far out-numbered by the bulls, and the time is not far distant
when the buffalo will exist in tradition only. Buffalo are now found on the great
plains between the Missouri river and the Rocky Mountains, north into
the British Provinces, and south into the Southern United States.
Their resting ground is the mountainous and hilly country on the
upper Missouri river, where large herds and scattering bands escape
the merciless fire of the Indians. The buffalo once ranged as far
East as the Carolinas, as may be seen by the following report of John
Lawson, Surveyor General of North Carolina, in 1709 : " The buffalo is a wild beast
of America, which has a bunch on his back, as the cattle of St.
Lawrence are said to have. He seldom appears amongst the English inhabitants, his chief haunt being in the land of Mississipi*, which is
for the most part a plain country; yet I have known some killed on
the hilly part of Cape Fair river, they passing the ledges of vast
mountains from the said Mississipi, before they came near us. I have
eaten of their meat, but do not think it so good as our own beef; yet
the younger calves are cry'd up for excellent food, as very likely
they may be. It is conjectured that these buffalos, mixed in breed
with our tame cattle, would much better the breed for largeness and
milk, which seems very probable. Of the wild bull's skin, buff is
made. The Indians cut the skins for the ease of their transportation,
and make beds to lie on. They spin the hair into garters, girdles,
sashes, and the like, it being long and curled, and often a chestnut
or red color. These monsters are found to weigh (as I am informed by
a traveler of credit) from 1,6oo to 2,400 weight."

In the distance the buffalo looks
black, and their huge forms, when viewed sideways, appear immensely
large. Their heads are carried low, and when retreating, their bodies
appear small, but as soon as they turn broadside, and stop to look
back, they suddenly loom up into gigantic proportions, often tempting
the hunter to shoot when far out of range. The buffalo's endurance is
so great that he will use up two ponies on a long moderate chase.
They fear a mounted hunter more than any other object, and always
retreat when seeing one, unless at a great distance. Any unusual
object attracts the attention of stragglers, and they will often
advance within long rifle range of a covered wagon. They exhibit
great curiosity at times, and solitary old bulls can sometimes be "
flagged " like antelope. The habits of the buffalo are varied,
and become more so each year. Every season's hunt makes them more
suspicious, and their range more contracted. They winter much further
north than formerly, and the Wolfers often kill them in the dead of
Winter nearly to the forty-ninth parallel. In this northern country
they often perish from cold and hunger, and get snowed in, in the
gullies of the mountains where they have gone to get out of the
piercing cold winds and driving snow. I have found their skeletons in
large numbers, lying so closely as to touch each other in several
passes in the northern Rocky Mountains. Were it not for the hills of
the prairie kept bare by the driving winds, and the scant browsing in
the bottoms, the buffalo would be compelled to winter further south,
or perish. During the Summer they select the most fertile localities,
and if unmolested, feed quietly in scattering herds ; often standing
side by side, brushing away the flies, or lying peacefully in the
shade, like domestic cattle.

When feeding and migrating, the
rear portion of a herd continually crowd those ahead, and push
forward, snatching the tufts of grass as they pass; when their hunger
is appeased, they fall back, and are succeeded by others, who in
their turn jostle and push until all pause to rest. The country over
which a large herd has passed is left entirely bare, with the
exception of the numberless "chips." When a band comes
suddenly upon a hunter, they crowd to the right and left, forcing
open a V shaped space, which rapidly grows larger until the buffalo
are passing about fifty yards distant on each side ; they then close
behind him in the same manner, leaving him in the centre of a
diamond-shaped space.

The run of the buffalo is a slow,
heavy gallop, or lope, which is greatly increased in speed when they
are pursued. A continual crowding and jostling is characteristic of a
retreating band, many striving to force their way into the centre for
safety ; the old bulls run scatteringly on the outside of the herd,
and will sometimes stop, rub their noses in the dust, scrape the
ground with the fore feet, watch the hunter a moment, then gallop off
again. Th« calves run by the side of the cows, and often under
them; they keep pace with the herd without difficulty, and it seems
wonderful that they are not trampled to death.

Buffalos run down hill without
slacking their headlong speed, which the pursuing hunter is unable to
do, as his pony has to travel at a slower pace ; when ascending, the
buffalo travel much more slowly, and the pony, can then gain on them
rapidly. The cows are the fastest runners, and it requires a nimble
pony and a good rider to overtake them. Herds should be surprised, if
possible; the hunter can then spur his pony into the band at the
beginning; should they have the start, follow leisurely until
reaching an ascent, then urge the pony to his utmost speed, and make
a spurt, to and among them, or the chase will be a fruitless one. In
September their flesh is at its best and the weather pleasant for
camping, but their skins are not of much value until November, from
which time till January they improve in quality.

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Salve,
I was looking at some Americana on the Archive website, and came across two books by Joseph H. Batty.

The following biographical note comes from the one on the practical taxidermy:

Well, in the book on hunting (first published in 1879) there is a chapter on mules and native Indian ponies used in the hunting expeditions in the Western American wilderness during the 1870s and 1880s.
It is quite interesting and I am happy to share it with you:

''HOW
TO HUNT AND TRAP''

CHAPTER
III.

MULES
AND HORSES.

An
Irishman spoke truthfully when he said, " The hunter's best
horse is a mule;" and the great prejudice that people have
against them arises more from ignorance of their natures than any
other cause. Mules are kind, gentle, and easily managed, and after
long usage one becomes much attached to them. A quick, long-legged
mule, of medium size, will, if carefully trained, make a useful
animal, and has the human trait of liking to be persuaded rather than
driven. All dumb beasts will, in their way, express much gratitude,
and usually serve a considerate master faithfully. A mule that has
been abused is always jerking his head about as if expecting each
moment to be struck.

In
the mountains a mule will outclimb or outpack a pony, and keep fat on
the poorest of food. Mules eat an incredible quantity of grass, and
their accommodating sides expand to make space for any amount ;
indeed, the exact capacity of their stomachs is something that has
never been fully calculated. A packer is often in a state of despair
on finding a cincho* a foot or so short, that a few hours before was
slack.

A
good mule will pick his way over loose stones, fallen timber and
rocks ; shows great sagacity in fording rapid rivers with uncertain
bottoms, and with free rein will take a bewildered hunter to camp
through storm and darkness. When mounted and still-hunting, every
stick and stone is avoided, fallen timber is crossed without the
sound of a misplaced hoof, and the hunter is carried silently over
all kinds
of surfaces. The best trails are chosen, and with large ears
"pricked," the mule stands instinctively at sight of game
and gives chance for a good shot. Some will stand fire remarkably
well and pack warm game without a tremor; others will become violent,
and on seeing dead game or smelling blood, will buck and kick
furiously. All mules are affected by the smell of a bear. We had a
great struggle with one while packing the skeleton and skin of a
grizzly ; he resisted very strongly during the first few days of
travel, but finally carried the load four hundred miles. Most mules
are slow travelers, but occasionally a fast one is found. Recently a
hunter in Montana owned one that would catch a bull buffalo; the
cows, however, were too much for him. When riding a mule, a broad
cincho* and wide crouper is needed, as the saddle is inclined to slip
forward and turn, particularly when going down hill.

A
mule that insists upon being lazy can scarcely be spurred into
activity; with a good leader they will sometimes quicken their pace,
as they do not like to be left behind.
The high tempered Mexicans must have great skill in managing them, as
they have not the patience to wait their motions. They are very
powerful when frightened, and require the full strength of a lariat
to keep them in place when away from the herd, A small mule walked
into camp one day dragging a good sized pine tree, to which he had
been tied four miles distant, and we greeted the rider a few hours
after as he came in sight with the saddle on his shoulder. They have
great confidence in a horse, and will often follow him in single file
when it would be impossible to drive them. When large mounted parties
are hunting, a bell mare is picketed, and the other animals will not
leave her unless the feed is very poor. Mules known in Western
parlance as buck mules, excel some horses in real beauty; their plump
quarters, tapering legs, small hoofs and glossy coat, with the
characteristic black stripe down the back, make them attractive
animals.

Mules
are easily frightened into a stampede ; they are much given to
rolling, and will often do so when packed for a march.

Indian
ponies are the horses usually used by hunters. They are scarcely
fourteen hands high, of rather light build, and have bright,
intelligent eyes. Indians have a faculty of getting a great deal of
work out of them, and the ponies, in their hands, are at all tireless
submissive; when managed by the whites, they become stubborn and
lazy, and the mule is more generally preferred.

These
ponies are good travelers, have greater power of endurance than the
American horses, and are useful in many cases; they should not be run
too hard or loaded

too
heavily; and when climbing a mountain side, they should be tacked up
to lessen the angle of ascent, and give sure footing. When trails are
rough, and obstructed

with
rocks and fallen timber, the ponies should be dismounted and led by
taking the rein over the arm. In attempting to pull they often become
stubborn and unmanageable. Faulty management has ruined many horses
and mules. When they attempt to draw away at the end of the rein it
is advisable not to pull forcibly, particularly if a curb bit is
used, as they always resist it. All riding animals

are
often urged over too great a distance without food. They should be
allowed to stop and feed occasionally, if only for a few moments. A
herd must be watched and

not
allowed to drink too much alkaline water, or rush for water into
quicksands; in many places on the upper Missouri the soil is so
treacherous that it is impossible to lead stock to water.

In
picketing a horse, a lariat, about thirty-five or forty feet long,
should be

used.
It should be tied rather tightly to prevent its slipping and choking
him; it will also keep his feet from getting through when brushing
flies from neck and ears. The foot, when once through, is not easily
withdrawn, and often causes a severe struggle; when a horse is
sharp-shod his head and neck sometimes become

so
badly lacerated, that he will bleed to death, or strangle from the
effects

of
the rope and the swelling o£ the wounded parts. The iron picket pin,
with a swivel and four concave sides, is light of weight and very
secure.

Some
ponies ride easy; others, a little knee sprung, will more than settle
a man's dinner when going down hill; when cantering on level ground,
however, their defective gait is no inconvenience.

Speed
is one quality which makes a horse preferable to the mule ; he can
hunt the buffalo, and take the hunter quickly to camp; he will not
stampede as easily as the

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Salve,
just some videos to share with you all
Mr. Sheperd Paine, passed away in August 2015, was a great master of historical miniature art - and there is this nice tribute to His art available on youtube for all to see and enjoy.
Keep in mind that:
'In that spirit and
per his[Sheperd Paine] wishes, the MMSI has established the Shep Paine Education
Fund, which is accepting tax-deductible donations in his honor to
continue his invaluable work as an educator and proselytizer for the
art of miniatures via classes, seminars, and other projects.
Contributions to this dedicated fund can be made via PayPal at
MMSIChicagoShow@gmail.com or by mail to The Shep Paine Education Fund
care of MMSI Treasurer Tom Surlak, 3136 Secretariat Dr., Aurora, IL
60602.'

Caveat! if you watch the second video provided on the page in this link, then you could see the world's best horsearcher Anna Sokólska in action :) (her saddle seen in the video was made by Mr. Plachecki - link to his shop )
enjoy

About Me

Czołem/Salve, fellow net traveler... I am Dariusz aka Dario and this is my meydân. Born in the year of the Fire Horse hence I never tire of admiring, drawing & painting or sculpting horses, or just researching the history of equus cabalus, especially in the mounted warrior context. My drawings and paintings - prints - are available for sale (I use MyPaint, Krita & GIMP), I also do commissioned illustration etc, so if you need to contact me regarding a purchase, commission, or any other matter, do email me: darajawausz[at]gmail [dot] com
Ciao - Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas